Cliff Lee has a new spring training address in Arizona, the Seattle Mariners’ complex, but it likely will be another week or more before he can pitch. Acquired from Philadelphia in the biggest trade of the offseason, Lee has a bandage around his left foot following Feb. 5 surgery to remove a bone spur.
Faces change. Sky-high expectations remain the same. The New York Yankees don’t know any other way. The defending World Series champions began assembling for the start of spring training on Wednesday, the eve of the first workout for pitchers and catchers. Manager Joe Girardi doesn’t expect complacency to be an issue for an experienced team that dethroned the Philadelphia Phillies in the…
Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge says he is pain free. A year after converting all 48 save chances, Lidge led the major leagues with 11 blown saves last season. He had surgery to repair his right elbow in November and right knee in January. Now as spring training is about to start, the 33-year-old is confident he can regain the form that helped the Phillies win the 2008 World Series.
Mark McGwire’s first day on the job began with a wrong turn into the media room instead of the spring training clubhouse. It ended with another apology for steroid use. The St. Louis Cardinals’ new batting coach spent time in the batting cage with hitters, sat in on a lengthy staff meeting and then answered questions from reporters for more than 15 minutes.
Lou Piniella was eager Wednesday to kick off his fourth season as manager of the Chicago Cubs, insisting he had no concerns about being in the final year of his contract. “I’ve got enough confidence in my ability to do a job,” the 66-year-old Piniella said on the day pitchers and catchers were due in camp.
Left-hander Ron Villone is staying with the Washington Nationals, agreeing to a minor league contract. The 40-year-old would get a $900,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and would have the chance to earn an additional $700,000 in performance bonuses. Villone agreed to a minor league deal before the 2009 season and went 5-6 with one save and a 4.25 ERA in a team-leading 63 games.
Getting ready for Friday’s start to his final spring training as a major league manager, Atlanta’s Bobby Cox insists he will not attempt to savor this visit to Florida more than any other. He announced last September that he plans to retire after this season. Not that the cigar-smoking, tough-talking 68-year-old was looking for a farewell tour.
Former major league pitcher Jim Bibby has died. He was 65. Community Funeral Home in Lynchburg said Wednesday that Bibby died Tuesday night at Lynchburg General Hospital. The cause was not disclosed. The family asked for privacy but said a statement would be released later. Bibby played 12 years in the majors and pitched the first no-hitter in Texas Rangers history, beating Oakland 6-0 in 1973.
An MRI on Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens’ right shoulder has revealed inflammation but no structural problems. The Braves say team orthopedist Dr. Xavier Duralde has prescribed a week of rest and treatment for Jurrjens following Wednesday’s MRI. Jurrjens is expected to start throwing next week. Braves pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Friday.
Brian Bruney received a disappointing birthday present, losing to the Washington Nationals in salary arbitration. The reliever was awarded $1.5 million Wednesday instead of his request for $1.85 million. Arbitrators Steven Wolf, Sylvia Skratek and Dan Brent made the decision a day after hearing arguments.